An exciting collection of original jazz/funk,pop, rock,and blues rhythms with shades of Larry Carlton,George Benson,and Steely Dan. Very memorable tunes with versatile guitar stylings. The track "Until we Meet Again" was heard on ABC's "One Life to Live"

9 MP3 Songs
JAZZ: Smooth Jazz, NEW AGE: New Age



Details:
Mark Gutierrez, a Los Angeles native, is a multitalented musician well versed in many styles of music including jazz, classical, blues, rock, latin, and flamenco. This versatility finds him in many different musical situations whether it be on stage, in the studio, playing with his band, other groups, or solo. Aside from being a very talented guitarist, he is also an accomplished pianist and vocalist.

Mark has performed and recorded with many of the top Latin and Jazz bands in L.A. contributing his original compositions and receiving much airplay. He has also performed with Trini Lopez, Joe Bataan, Joan Sebastian.

Mark's original music was heard on HBO's "The Sopranos", ABC's "One Life to Live", and he was seen on MTV's "Till Death Do Us part" performing his own music. He has also written and recorded music for Miller beer and Budweiser comercials.

"I'll Just Groove" features a variety of styles including jazz, funk, rock, and blues. This is in contrast to Mark's first cd "Spanish Nights" which featured more mellower latin/flamenco music.



Reviews:
L.A. Jazz Scene 6/03

The leader's soft-spoken guitar melodies, his bassist's foot-tapping pulse, the drummer's lively back beat, and Robertito Melendez's perky conga combine to put you in the groove. Their's is a pleasant sound with ample guitar improvisation. Gutierrez plays keyboards, guitar, and sings two songs. As with his last album the compositions are his own. Each carries a bouncy aura, putting the guitarist in the role of the party host. But it's a mellow party, without all the kicks and scratches and yells. As he sings "You Broke My Heart", Gutierrez shows a different side. For this one song, he's shifted from smooth jazz to contemporary electric blues in the same way that a leading actor can appear as a gentle giant one month and as a feared ruffian the next. The singer/guitarist is in fine form: footloose and fancy free. His interpretation of the blues lyric spouts attitude. It is the album's high point. Gutierrez closes the song with, "You broke my heart, and now it's time to be on my way." The smooth jazz road works well enough for most folks: that's today's freeway. Let's hope this alternate blues route gets more attention from this talented artist. Gutierrez has what it takes to move his groove up a few notches overnight.
Jim Santella